Utilizing the Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) feature allows a user to have full control over a remote Windows desktop. This article will show those seeking to configure a remote desktop manager to map local drives, exactly how to access local drives from remote desktop on Windows 10.
While sharing resources from a local computer to a remote machine poses a challenge, RDC will help users share USB over RDP and connect external hard drives to the remote desktop sessions.
But first, you will need to configure remote desktop to access local drives.
Learning how to map drives from server to remote desktop doesn’t have to be a hassle. Remote Desktop Connection can make it quite a simple process. RDC is a tool that creates remote desktop sessions to Windows servers and PCs by employing Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
All editions of Windows 10, and Windows Server include RDC by default. Keep reading to find out how to let PCs running Windows 10 show local drive in remote desktop sessions.
Microsoft not only provides RDP-functioning software that connects to Windows from a Mac, but it also works for mobile platforms like iOS and Android, too. Alternatively, Mac users can share Mac files/folders to a Windows desktop simply by using the Remote Desktop app’s Redirection tab.
For Windows users, Remote Desktop Connection is built-in by default and permits the configuration of file and folder sharing before a connection being established.
Note: The initial launch of Remote Desktop Connection will seem quite simple. Most often, users would enter the IP address of the remote computer and click the connect button. However, in this instance, before being able to access local files and folders, some extra configuration is required before connecting.
Note: Users can share any available Windows drives while inside the Drives section. For example, any attached optical drives (like CD drives, DVD drives, or portable storage devices - like flash drives) can be shared if the user thinks they’ll need to connect to it in the future.
Note: To open Windows File Explorer, simply right-click the Start menu and click "File Explorer".
Once inside the File Explorer, users will see all shared devices listed beneath the Redirect Drives and Folders section.
Transferring files in a remote desktop session is a relatively easy process. Simply locate the files you want to transfer and click the Home tab at the top of the window. Click the Move to button and then the Choose Location option in the displayed drop-down menu.
You may need to map a local drive in your RDP session to enable efficient file transfers. Use the following procedure to mount a local drive in RDP so it can be used to transfer files.
In your RDP session, launch PowerShell. Run the net use command to display the redirected drives.
Next, run the net use \tsclient command to map the local drives in remote desktop to a network drive letter.
Verify the drive mapping by opening Windows Explorer and looking at the Network Locations section. You will see the network drive mappings available. When you copy files to the remote computer’s mapped drive, they will also be found on the same letter drive on the local machine.
